President Donald Trump has been weighing an exit strategy for the conflict with Iran that would let him declare victory without securing a nuclear deal, according to reports. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has spent weeks preparing a plan that significantly lowers the war’s original goals, while a White House official said the current focus is keeping energy flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.[3]
The shift reflects growing pressure from rising oil prices and concerns about weapons shortages, the reports said. Instead of relying on military strikes, Trump is now reportedly counting on negotiations to reopen the strait, while Iran has responded by raising its demands sharply.[3]
According to the reports, Iran is demanding the withdrawal of U.S. forces from nearby areas, an end to the maritime blockade and even compensation for war damage, effectively pressing Washington to accept a defeat-like outcome.[3] At the same time, Israel has also distanced itself from Trump’s approach, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting a Gaza peace plan ahead of Israel’s October election, according to the article.[3]
The result, according to the reporting, is growing criticism inside the United States that the original goal of denuclearizing Iran has been pushed to the back burner and that Trump is facing a humiliating outcome. Some critics are now describing the situation as a de facto loss in the war.[3]
